Study

Study to See if Hormone Therapy Helps Reduce Hot Flashes and Night Sweats in Women Living with HIV

This study is looking at whether hormone therapy can help reduce hot flashes and night sweats in women living with HIV who are going through menopause or who recently finished menopause.

Why this Research Matters

Women living with HIV often have more frequent and severe hot flashes and night sweats than women without HIV. Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments for these symptoms in healthy women. However, it has not been well studied in women living with HIV. This study will see if hormone therapy helps reduce hot flashes and night sweats, improves sleep and quality of life, and is safe for women living with HIV. If you join this study, you will be randomly placed into one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will get hormone therapy, and the other group will get a placebo (a pill with no medication). You will not know which group you are in. If you are in the hormone therapy group, you will either get estradiol with or without progesterone depending on if you still have your uterus or not. At most visits, some blood will be taken from a vein in your arm. You may also have a physical exam, provide a urine sample, and fill out questionnaires. You will take your own swab samples from your rectum and vagina two different times. You will also complete a daily diary to track and record your hot flashes, night sweats, sleep times, and vaginal bleeding during the study. There will be about 5 study visits over 5 months. You will be paid up to $325 if you complete all visits.

Who can Participate

Adult

You may be able to join this study if you are a woman living with HIV, 40-60 years old, and having hot flashes and night sweats. You also must be going through menopause or recently finished menopause. Compensation provided.